Kerten Hospitality aims to operate 5,000 to 7,000 hotel keys in India over the next five years, CEO Marloes Knippenberg said, as the Irish hospitality company begins its expansion in the country with a hotel in Shimla.

Key Takeaways

  • The company has launched its first Indian hotel under its Cloud 7 brand.
  • Its India plans could span hotels and branded residences, with the company in discussions with property owners.

Kerten Hospitality outlines India ambitions

The five-year key target is an ambition rather than a count of properties already operating or signed. Knippenberg said on October 26, 2026, that the company was in conversations with owners in India and assessing opportunities.

She said the potential for signings was five to six times the company’s initial objective, without specifying that objective. The company’s business models include branded residences as well as hotels.

Shimla hotel marks market entry

Cloud 7 Hotel The Forest Shimla is Kerten Hospitality’s first hotel in India. It includes a rooftop venue called The Observatory Bar and a culinary programme developed around regional produce sourced from local farmers and producers.

The company said the hotel would also feature locally inspired art and handcrafted pieces through partnerships with artists and craftspeople from Shimla and across Himachal Pradesh.

Company operates across 12 countries

Kerten Hospitality develops and operates projects across hotels, branded residences, workspaces and dining experiences in 12 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Its lodging brands are hosme, Cloud 7 and The House Hotel.

The company has signed just under 3,000 keys this year, Knippenberg said. She also reported double-digit growth in revenue and management fee levels, without providing a specific figure or comparison period.

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